The Children's Book Award 2023 shortlist announced

The Children's Book Award is BACK!... and a blue-footed boobie, a blobfish and a secret inventor are all shortlisted for the Children's Book Award 2023 - chosen and voted for entirely by children.

UPDATE: Find out who won the 2023 Children's Book Award

The Children's Book Award 2023 shortlist has been announced, with children choosing their favourite books from the last year.

Children nationwide are now invited to vote for their favourite of the ten shortlisted books. The deadline for online voting is 12 noon on Friday 12th May.  Cast your vote online here

The category winners and the author of the best children's book published in the 2022 nomination period will be announced at an awards ceremony on 10th June, which will be live-streamed.

The Children's Book Award, run by the Federation of Children's Book Groups, is the only national award for children's books that is voted for entirely by children. Previous winners have included J.K. Rowling, Patrick Ness, Andy Stanton, Malorie Blackman and Michael Morpurgo, who has won a record four times. 

Shortlist for the Children's Book Award 2023

Books for Younger Children
Blobfish - written and illustrated by Olaf Falafel, published by Walker Books
My Rhinoceros - written and illustrated by Jon Agee, published by Scallywag Press
The Blue-Footed Booby - written and illustrated by Rob Biddulph, published by HarperCollins
Where Has all the Cake Gone? - written by Andrew Sanders and illustrated by Aysha Awwad, published by Macmillan Children's Books

Books for Younger Readers
Leonora Bolt Secret Inventor - written by Lucy Brandt and illustrated by Gladys Jose, published by Puffin
Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good - written and illustrated by Louie Stowell, published by Walker Books
Ollie Spark and the Accidental Adventure - written by Gillian Cross and illustrated by Alan Snow, published by David Fickling Books

Books for Older Readers
Dread Wood - written by Jennifer Killick, published by Farshore
The Light In Everything - written by Katya Balen, published by Bloomsbury
While The Storm Rages - written by Phil Earle, published by Andersen Press

Sarah Stuffins, Children's Book Award coordinator, said, "It's children who curate the children's book industry - they choose the bestsellers and they're a very particular audience who know exactly what they like. We're thrilled to be showcasing their choices in this exciting shortlist."